04/12/2005

OHR BiH Media Round-up, 12/4/2005

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Latest radio news broadcast at 12.00 on 12 April

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

RTRS (12,00 hrs)

BiH CoM in session

BiH, FBiH HoRs in session

52 kg heroin seized at border

EUFOR, local Police seize heroin

52 kilos of heroine seized

BiH Ambassador to NATO on PfP

Who will replace HR in BiH?

World news: Situation inIraq

Letter to del Ponte

TV news broadcast on 11 April

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00 hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

Jelavic’s custody wont be extended

HR visits Belgrade

BiH citizens arrested for smuggling

HR in Belgrade

Issue of BiH Ambassador to Croatia

SAA negotiations

PDP on Sarajevo CC

Lawsuit against SCG

Mladic hid in Topcider barracks

Session of Sarajevo CC postponed

Ante Jelavic trial, update

Ashdown in Belgrade

 

NTV Hayat (19,00 hrs)

FTV (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

Mesic rejects Kesic

Mesic rejects Kesic

SBS and EUFOR sized 10 kg heroin

Paravac on Kesic’s case

Who will present BiH in Croatia?

HR on SCG cooperation with ICTY

HR visits Belgrade

Paravac on Kesic’s case

Report on alleged Mladic’s hideout

Mladic hid Topcider last year?

Covic’s successor still unknown

Andan: no need to abolish RS MoI

 

Oslobodjenje

Election Commission today annuls elections in Sarajevo ; Cooperation with Hague will end up Karadzic and Mladic to be arrested; Homeland of Croats in BiH is BiH; Jelavic to be released on 20 May?

Dnevni Avaz

Mesic and Paravac in fierce conflict; Belgrade and RS should together extradite Karadzic and Mladic to the Hague ; Alkalaj: Carla Del Ponte is still not satisfied

Dnevni List

Prosecution’s demand rejected

Vecernji List

Jelavic released on May 19

Slobodna Dalmacija

Remains of killed friars from Siroki Brijeg found

Nezavisne Novine

Karadzic and Mladic must go to The Hague

Glas Srpske

No kafa – only kahva

EuroBlic

Politicians too are involved in oil smuggling

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related topics

Nacional

Features Serbian related topics

 

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

EUFOR, local police seize 52 kilos of heroin

RTRS, RHB, BH Radio 1  – EUFOR and local Police seized 52 kilos of heroin at border crossing between BiH and Serbia , stated EUFOR HQ in Sarajevo .

BiH HoR in session

 

RHB, BH Radio 1 – BiH House of Representatives should today discuss proposal of law on incurring of debts, debts and guarantees of BiH, which was determined by the BiH Council of Ministers. Appointment of the Croat member of the BiH Presidency is not on the agenda.

BiH CoM in session

 

RHB – BiH Council of Ministers, which is in session at Sarajevo today, is to discuss proposal of amendments to the BiH Constitution, proponent of which is the Chairman Adnan Terzic. BiH CoM is also to discuss draft law on revision of BiH institutions, draft law on protection of consumers and realization of CoM conclusions regarding the letter sent earlier by the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Ollie Rehn.

Dokic, Pavic plead not guilty

 

SRNA – BiH Minister of Transport and Communications, Branko Dokic, and Prijedor Mayor, Marko Pavic, today pleaded not guilty to the charges of indictment which accuse them of office misuse and embezzlement. The former RS Ministers of Transport and Communications appeared before the Banja Luka Basic Court .  

RS PoWs sent letter to Del Ponte criticising ICTY Prosecution

 

RTRS – RS Association of former detention camp inmates has today addressed a letter to Carla del Ponte, ICTY Chief Prosecutor, saying they will not give up on demands for the prosecution of “serious, mass and obvious crimes committed against Serbs in BiH” even if the ICTY says all cases are closed. Letters adds that Association was mislead to believe the ICTY work is unbiased and objective. The letter notes: “We remember your promise that you will take all relevant evidence we have handed to you seriously and that you would press charges against Bosniaks and Croats.” The open letter has been forwarded to ICTY President, Chairs of EU, European Parliament, Security Council and US Ambassador to war crimes issue, Pierre Prosper.

Spiric: there is connection between politicians, authority, mafia and crime in BiH

 

RTRS – Nikola Spiric, Deputy Speaker of the BiH HoR, at today’s press conference in Sarajevo, stated that there is connection between politicians, authority, mafia and crime in BiH, proved through memo BiH HoP Collegium addressed to BiH Court (which demand passports be returned to Hasan Cengic and also that Mato Tadic remains the President of BiH Court). He said that miserable is such state, whose reputation abroad is defended by people, who are banned from entering any European or world state. According to him, miserable is the state where international judges are defending Constitutional Court , while local politicians are charged with crime and corruption.

Former mayors of Sarajevo want Kucan as new HR

 

RHB – Eight former mayors of Sarajevo sent a proposal that a former Slovenian President, Milan Kucan, be appointed a new High Representative for BiH. The proposal was sent to the BiH Presidency and BiH CoM, which are requested to get engaged in the process of the appointment of new HR. Former mayor argue it was time that somebody who knows the situation in BiH be appointed to the office.

Italian Ambassador meets BL Mayor

RTRS – During today’s meeting with the Banja Luka Mayor, Dragoljub Davidovic, the Italian Ambassador to BiH, Alessandro Falavogli, has today stated that Italy supports BiH admission to EU, adding that Italy has a good cooperation with the BiH, especially with the region of Banja Luka.

 

Political issues and reforms

Ashdown meets SCG officials, urges coop w/ ICTY and police reform

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FTV, BHT 1 – The HR Paddy Ashdown expects from RS and Serbia to cooperate in arresting and extraditing Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic to the ICTY. After meetings held with Serbian President Boris Tadic, SCG Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic and Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica in Belgrade, Ashdown stated: “Some people blame NATO for not arresting Karadzic and Mladic, but the fact is: NATO arrested 20 war crimes indictees, and RS did not arrest a single one, let alone Karadzic and Mladic.”

Hayat – “The fact that Karadzic has not been caught is partly because it presents a difficult military operation, to arrest a person, who is still being referred to as a hero, and who lives in a one of the most wild European mountain parts,” added Ashdown. Draskovic again pointed out he was not aware of Mladic and Karadzic’s whereabouts, but added that SCG intelligence services should know “since they are being paid for it.” Ashdown also talked about the police reform in BiH which has to be in accordance with the EU set standards.

RHB, PINK – “It set three principles… [which] have to and will be fulfilled… This is not the end of RS. BiH entities are guaranteed under the Dayton. They cannot be jeopardized, annulled, or changed unless there is an agreement between all peoples. This is the only way in which the constitution can be changed”, said Ashdown. “We do not disagree with such consensus, but at the same time we believe that all talks are going to be held in a different atmosphere after BiH, together with SCG, faces the open door for Brussels and Euro-Atlantic integrations”, said Draskovic.

RTRS – Kostunica expressed his dedication to the DPA. HR also visited the Patriarch of Orthodox church Pavle with whom he discussed the claims of media that Serbian church is hiding war crimes indictees. Patriarch Pavle denied all the allegations.

Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Important progress in cooperation with the Tribunal’, mentioned on cover ‘Belgrade and RS should together extradite Karadzic and Mladic to the Hague’ by S.N., Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Cooperation with the Hague will end only when Mladic and Karadzic are arrested’, mentioned on cover, by B. Boskov, Dnevni List pg 3, mentioned on cover ‘Abolishment of RS only with consent of Serbs’ by I. Glibusic, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Any reform must not endanger RS’, mentioned on cover ‘None will pull down RS’ not signed, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Only cooperation with The Hague makes BiH closer to EU and NATO’ by M. Landeka, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash ‘Karadzic and Mladic must go to The Hague’ by Agencies, Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Job is not completed yet’, EuroBlic RSpg 3 ‘Everybody msut go to The Hague’ by I.C., Vecernje Novosti pg 5 ‘Republika Srpska is safe’ by D.R., Nacional pg 3 ‘Cooperation with the Hague must complete’   – also reported.

Andan: ‘We do not think about abolishment of RS MoI’

 

RTRS by Drazen Glisic – RS Police Director Dragomir Andan visited Central Police Station (CPS) Bijeljina on Monday. On the press conference Andan stated that there was no intention to abolish RS Interior Ministry. He also confirmed that there were pressures to abolish the ministry due to lack of cooperation. “Only by cooperating we can prevent the abolishment, we agree with reorganization of Ministry but not with the abolishment” stated Andan. He said that possible staff downsizing and the reform of RS MoI can contribute to better cooperation with the MoI in Sarajevo . Asked about speculations which appeared in Sarajevo press that Andan’s name appears at the list of those involved in Srebrenica crimes, he denied all these allegations calling them stupidity.

Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘There is no thinking on abolishment of RS MoI’ by V. Du., EuroBlic RSpg 3, announced on cover ‘We do not think about abolishment of RS MOI’ by Lj.Lj., Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Stupidities from Federation’ by S.R.T. – also reported.

Stojicic meets Rycroft: Police model should be adopted before 21 April

 

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Until 21 April the police model should be found’, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Support for Brussels conclusions’ by G.D., Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Freedom and independence of media as a prerequisite for European integrations’ by V.P. – RS NA Speaker Dusan Stojcic met with the new UK Ambassador to BiH, Matthew Rycroft discussing the police reform. Stojcic said that they a model for BIH police in accordance with the EU standards should be found until 21 April when RSNA is to hold the special session on this issue. He also pointed out to the good RS cooperation with ICTY underlying nothing can jeopardize this process. Rycroft agreed with Stojcic’s appraisal of RS cooperation with ICTY, adding that he hopes RS NA would take a leading role in police reforms at the next session. Rycroft had a meeting with the representatives of media, independent newspapers and RTRS.

Mesic rejects Kesic’s appointment

 

RHB, BHT1, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 5 ‘Homeland of BiH Croats is BiH’, ‘Zagreb doesn’t want Kesic’, mentioned on cover, by D. Zdravec, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘New candidate for BiH Ambassador in Croatia soon’ by M. Karacic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7 ‘Mesic bestowed order on Dizdarevic’ and last pg ‘Who is going to come instead of Dizdarevic’? by B. Kristo, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘The case of Kesic, ambassador non gratae’, announced on cover ‘I soon expect appointment of new BiH ambassador’ by V.Popovic, EuroBlic RSpg 2 ‘Zagreb does not want Kesic’ by D.S. – The Croatian President Stjepan Mesic met in a farewell visit on Monday outgoing BiH Ambassador to Croatia Zlatko Dizdarevic. Mesic thanked him for his contribution to the development of relations between the two countries. On the new ambassador, Mesic said: “With your departure, the position of the BiH Ambassador to Croatia remains empty. I hope that your country would soon appoint a new ambassador that would be welcome in Croatia just like you were.” Media say that this was a clear rejection of Branko Kesic for this position, whom BiH Foreign Ministry has proposed in December last year. Newspapers in BiH and Croatia speculated that Zagreb did not welcome Kesic due to his wartime past. Until BiH appoints new Ambassador, these duties will be carried out by the charge d’affairs [However, before the Ambassador is appointed, BiH Presidency must have anther Croat member].   

Paravac to consider next step following Mesic’s statement

 

RTRS, PINK, BHT1, Dnevni Avaz cover splash ‘Paravac and Mesic in fierce’ conflict, pg 3 ‘Mesic said BiH has to appoint new ambassador’ by E. Sarac – The Chair of the BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac issued a written statement in which he wonders why Mesic rejected Kesic nomination. Paravac also commented that he was surprised with Mesic’s statement on Croatia welcoming new candidate, instead of Kesic, underlying this was not in line with diplomatic standards. “Croatian President made diplomatic mistake with this statement. After Mesic’s statement, the Chair of the BiH Presidency will consider the next steps in Kesic case,” reads that statement.    

FTV – FTV comments that Paravac and others from BiH Foreign Ministry led by Mladen Ivanic had to think about possible consequences before they nominated a person “who took part in ethnic cleansing in Banjaluka during the war” for the post of BiH ambassador in Croatia.

PINK – BiH Foreign Ministry rejects to give any statements on the issue.

Hayat – Following some speculations that BiH would also postpone with the appointment of the new Croatian Ambassador to BiH, the Secretary to BiH Foreign Ministry, Adnan Hadzikapetanovic, said that this should not be done adding that the relations between BiH and Croatia were extremely good and that the situation is to be solved soon.

Wnendt in BL: Cooperation with the Hague us a pre-requisite for NATO

 

PINK, Hayat, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘Cooperation with the Hague us a pre-requisite for NATO’ by V.P., Glas Srpske pg 4 ‘Better cooperation with the Hague’ by M.Mi.– During his farewell visit to Banjaluka, Senior Deputy HR, Werner Wnendt said after the meeting with Banjaluka Major, Dragoljub Davidovic, and representatives of nongovernmental organisations that if BiH wants to be admitted into PfP, all war crime suspects should be faced with the Hague Tribunal. SDHR did not want to comment on possible sanctions towards RS if it failed to fulfill key conditions for PfP admission. Wnendt added that civil society in BiH had to make pressure on BiH institutions in order to accelerate progress towards Euro-Atlantic integrations. Davidovic said that the main problem in BiH presented the issue of decentralized authorities, namely transfer of authorities from central to local societies. Davidovic also said that BiH was faced with two great problems: bad social and economic situation of BiH citizens.

Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘BiH is integral part of Europeby Onasa, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Civil Society can significantly contribute to reconciliation’, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘BiH deserves to become EU partner’ by B. S. – Also reported.

OHR calls for FBiH Govt to move 5 ministries in Mostar

 

RHB, PINK, Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘OHR calls for FBiH Govt to move ministries in Mostar’, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘Five ministries move from Sarajevo to Mostar’ by Fena, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘OHR called on FBiH authorities to move 3 Ministries to Mostar’ by NINA, Vecernji List pg 2 ‘To move 5 Ministries to Mostar!’ by M. Sutalo, Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘OHR: FBiH Ministries must move to Mostar’ by M. Landeka– OHR spokesperson, Sanela Tunovic, called for the FBiH authorities to work with the Mostar City and Cantonal authorities to fully and without further delay implement their legal obligation a “move five Federation ministries from Sarajevo to Mostar“. This is a longstanding obligation of the Federation authorities. Tunovic said that some progress has been made in the last 2 years, but the Education Ministry, Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry and the Ministry of Traffic and Communications have yet to complete their relocation to Mostar. 

Solana: New phase on SAA in May

 

BHT 1 byElvir Bucalo – The new phase of the negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) will start in May, stated EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana for BHT. According to Solana, new High Representative in BiH will be from the European Union countries. “That means that the responsibility will be transferred from the United Nations to the European Union”, added Solana.

JL: ‘It is being decided on Agreement on Stabilization and Accession with BiH in May’

 

Jutarnji List pg 11 ‘It is being decided on Agreement on Stabilization and Accession with BiH in May’ by A. Palokaj – Sources from the EU, Council of Europe and EC confirmed to JL that the decision on beginning of the negotiations with BiH might be passed as early as in May, while the negotiations themselves might start in summer or in autumn at the latest, while the decision will depend on meeting 14 conditions from the EC Feasibility Study. EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Javier Solana and European Enlargement Commissioner Oli Rehn also announced that BiH might start negotiations on Agreement on Stabilization and Accession. Solana added that the beginning of the negotiations on the Agreement on Stabilization and Accession and joining Partnership for Peace will also make possible a change of the International Community’s role in BiH since the BiH authorities will take over bigger powers. Solana announced that in this case the duty of the High Representative might change as well. JL says that after the departure of the current HR Paddy Ashdown in November, only a special EU envoy might be appointed and in this way EU would push away the UN from BiH. JL goes on to say that the future EU representative would not have an ‘intervening role’ that Ashdown currently has but he would be more coordinating the EU help to the reform of the state institutions, necessary for integration in the EU. According to the article, Brussels believes that such option is logical if BiH takes the way of complete integration in the EU. 

BiH Ambassador Alkalaj: BiH will yet not join PfP

 

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Doors are opened a little bit but BiH still cannot go through them’, mentioned on cover ‘Carla Del Ponte still not satisfied’ M Drinjakovic – BiH Ambassador at NATO Sven Alkalaj said in an interview with the daily that BiH would not be invited to join Partnership for Peace program at the next NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in on April 20-21. He however believes that effors and progress being made in BiH will be mentioned in the communiqué. Alkalaj says that it is still about 14 technical requirements and establishment of full cooperation with ICTY still to be met as necessary pre-conditions for joining PfP.

Croat parties to sign platform for re-organization of BiH

 

Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Croat parties offer platform for new BiH’, mentioned on cover ‘Croat parties offer solutions for re-organization of state’ by M. Vasilj – HSS, NHI, HNZ, HSP Djapic-Jurisic and HDZ representatives should sign in Sarajevo today a platform on the joint stand of Croat parties on the eve of constitutional changes. VL claims to be in possession of the platform and according to the article it says that the Dayton Peace Accord is unfair, non-functional, unsustainable and it has become an obstacle for development of the state in all its segments. VL also says that people from HDZ could not say whether they will sign the document, which clearly says that economic regions are the future of BiH. The document also says that Croats have a right on their mother tongue in media and education and that all bigger towns in BiH should be organized according to a model of Mostar.  

SD op-ed critical of HR

 

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 13 ‘Paddy, go home!’ by M. Kucic carries an editorial in which the author is harshly criticising behaviour of High Representative Paddy Ashdown in BiH and British politicians in general and the author concludes that, obviously, these politicians cannot forget the time of the (British) Empire. The author also suggested the HR to leave BiH and he added: ‘Let ‘the Balkan tribes’ (since this is your perception of ourselves) to reach an agreement by themselves and smoke the pipe of peace.’

 

 Update to Covic’s removal

Pavlovic: It is uncertain who would replace Covic

 

 

BHT1, FTV, EuroBlic RSpg 2, announced on cover ‘It is uncertain who would replace Covic’ by N.Breberina, Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Election of Covic successor uncertain’ by M.Cubro – Pero Pavlovic, HDZ of BiH Spokesperson, stated that HDZ will not present candidature of any person for the position of Croat member to BiH Presidency until BiH Parliament gives its view on HDZ demand that local institutions, instead of international community, should decide on issues of crucial importance for BiH.

Not certain if BiH HoR will discuss election of Croat member of the BiH Presidency today

 

Oslobodjenje pg 8 ‘BiH HoR session to be held today – Election of a new member of the BiH Presidency?!’, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘HDZ defies Ashdown, blocks BiH Presidency’ – Chairman of the BiH House of Representatives Sefik Dzaferovic on Monday said that the House had not received names of candidates for the new Croat member of the BiH Presidency but that this theoretically could be done in the course of the session itself. Dzaferovic added that he did not posses any clear information on whether this would happen but he emphasized that the Croat member of the BiH Presidency should be elected as soon as possible. HDZ parliamentarians held a meeting in Sarajevo on Monday but they did not discuss names of possible candidates to replace Dragan Covic in the BiH Presidency. According to HDZ President Barisa Colak emphasized that the HDZ position on the issue was clear: the party requests for holding of a session of both houses of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly that should discuss removal of Covic and reject anti-Constitutional behavior/actions regardless of whom such actions come from.

DL: Andjelko Mikulic or Bozo Ljubic to be next HDZ President

 

Dnevni List pg 9, mentioned on cover ‘Andjelko Mikulic or Bozo Ljubic new President of HDZ’ by M. Batarello carries that according to DL information the meeting of original HDZ members was held in Siroki Brijeg last week and during this meeting they discussed as to who might be a future HDZ President. It was decided that the future HDZ President must not be blackmailed or criminally prosecuted on any ground. Also, they decided that former West Herzegovina Canton Prime Minister Andjelko Mikulic and former FBiH Minister of Health Bozo Ljubic would be candidates for the position of the HDZ President at the HDZ Convention in May. Commenting on this meeting, Mikulic stated that he is not aware that the meeting took place and added that he would not accept to be the HDZ President since it is hard to be the HDZ President in an occupied country. According to Mikulic, most probably, current HDZ President Barisa Colak will put forward his candidacy again.  

SD: Covic to be next HDZ President

 

Slobodna Dalmacija pg 17 ‘Covic’s motto: Prozor must be defeated’ by D. Ljubas carries that there has been a struggle within HDZ these days whose goal is to bring Dragan Covic at the leading position of HDZ. SD says that the elections within HDZ are also a part of this game. SD says that the inter-party elections in Prozor will be remembered since a brutal showdown of those who support Covic and those who do not took place. A source from the HDZ leadership stated for SD that nothing spectacular can happenat the HDZ Convention in May apart from the absolute victory of Dragan Covic. SD goes on to say that it is possible that Covic appoints again Barisa Colak or someone similar to Colak at the position of the HDZ President so that he (Covic) can continue to act from shadow.

SD on possible successor to Covic

 

Slobodna Dalmacija, pg 17 ‘Raguz in defense – Jovic waiting’, by Emil Karamatic – Carries an article that deals with possible successor to Dragan Covic in the BiH Presidency. SD notes that the two most serious candidates, as far as the media claim, are Martin Raguz and Ivo Miro Jovic, Regarding the former, SD notes that he is not to Covic’s liking, therefore he will have to wait for decisions of the HDZ Presidency. On the other hand Jovic says he is not familiar that he could replace Covic: “I must be honest and say that I have not heard anything from the relevant factors that take decisions”, said Jovic. SD concludes that it would appear that Covic himself is stalling the process of nomination of his replacement, since he is currently engaged in taking care of HDZ factions that are against him, adding that Covic must know that appointment of Jovic into the BiH Presidency would cause a crisis within the authorities, because in that case Raguz would make his move since he is supported by the HDZ in Capljina, Stolac, Neum and partly in Mostar, and since he is influential in the BiH Parliament.

VL interview: Barisa Colak on Covic’s removal

 

Vecernji List, pg 5 ‘HDZ does not want to be in isolation’, by Miso Relota – Carries an interview with the President of HDZ BiH, Barisa Colak, in which he mostly talks about future activities of the party prior to the HDZ convention scheduled for May. Commenting on the removal of Dragan Covic from the BiH Presidency and responding to the journalist remark that possible conclusion of the BiH Parliament regarding the removal is not binding for the High Representative, Colak says the HDZ is not naïve since it knows what the HR’s authorities are. “However, we believe that the state Parliament must point out to everything that’s not good, it must take clear positions and such positions must eventually influence the behaviour of all participants in the state. If it were a story without result, there would not be sense in starting it (…) When we have clear positions of the Parliament, the HDZ Presidency will hold an urgent session and then we will decide about the moves. At this moment I would not prejudice the order of moves, but I am convinced that decisions of the HDZ Presidency will be in line with legality and constitutionality and we will abide by the laws and BiH Constitution”.

 

Legal issues and processes / affairs

BiH Court rejects demand for extension of Jelavic; he is to be released on May 19?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RHB – The Council of the BiH Court has rejected the request of the BiH Prosecutor’s Office for setting custody for the former BiH Presidency member, Ante Jelavic, in regard to the Croat Self-Rule case. Jelavic’s custody that was set in the Hercegovacka Bank case expires on May 19 this year [some media say May 20], and in the meantime he should be tried for the remaining counts regarding the so-called Croat self-government (trial will resume on April 28). Jelavic’s attorney Josip Muselimovic in a statement for RHB explained that Prosecutor in the case, John McNair, gave detailed explanation on why the custody should be extended but his request was denied.

PINK, BHT 1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 6 ‘Ante Jelavic to be released on 20 May?’, mentioned on cover, by L. Sofradzija, Dnevni Avaz pg 12 ‘Ante Jelavic to be released on May 19?’, Dnevni List cover pg splash ‘Prosecution’s demand rejected’ and pg 2 ‘Jelavic at large as of May 19’ by E. Mackic, Vecernji List cover pg splash and pg 2 ‘Jelavic released on May 19’ and pg 4 ‘Detainee Ante Jelavic at large on May 19?!’ by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 7, mentioned on cover ‘Jelavic at large on May 19’ by D. Ljubas, Z. Tulic   – also report.

Trebinje demands blocking of Alijagic bank account

 

RTRS, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Municipality formed experts team which will represent it in suit’ by V.D., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘To give the money back’ by M.B.  – The Trebinje Municipal Assembly sent a request to the District Court to block the account of Alijagic family. Municipality Trebinje was obliged to pay out the compensation for war damage in an amount of 34 million KM to Alijagic family, however the payment was ceased after the RS Supreme Court revoked the verdict. Head of Trebinje Municipality Dobrislav Cuk demands the return of the funds already paid to the Alijagic family from the municipal budget. Bank Account of Municipality Trebinje had been blocked for two months, and during that period Alijagic family was paid 740.000 KM. Cuk added that Municipality Trebinje insists on individual culpability and they are investigating the case.

BiH Court received BiH Parliament Commission’ report on Cengic

 

Nezavisne Novine pg 2 ‘Commission chaired by Hasan Cengic demands Cengic’ passports be returned to him’ by M.Cubro – The article reminds of a report BiH Parliament Commission for Foreign Affairs and Trade Policy addressed to BiH Court (which did not demand for any such), where Commission members described the work and performance of Hasan Cengic as successful, hoping it would influence BiH Court decision to give back the passport to Cengic. Edita Pejovic, Spokesperson of BiH Court , confirmed BiH Court received Report on 23 March 2005 .

NN op-ed critical of Commission action/Cengic

 

Nezavisne Novine op-ed pg 7 ‘Parliament serving Cengic’ by Mirza Cubro – The author is critical of BiH Parliament Commission (see above), which backed up its Chair, Hasan Cengic, and his interests. The author stresses that Cengic is indeed powerful man, and it is questionable how his business imperia was built. However, the greater problem from this, according to him, is the fact that nobody in this state will stand on his way and his likes, as well as that BiH Parliament officials find it completely irrelevant that a single man has subordinated the institution, which should be the state foundation, to his interests.

Dokic and Pavic to plead today

 

Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 9 ‘Dokic and Pavic today plead’ – The BiH Transport and Communications Minister and Prijedor Mayor, Branko Dokic and Marko Pavic respectively, will appear before the Banja Luka Basic Court today to plead on the indictment which accuses them of the misuse of office.  

FTV ’60 minutes’ on alleged illegal activities undertaken by PDP

 

FTV “60 minutes” current affairs program by Dragan Stanimirovic – The highest officials of PDP party seem to be involved in illegal activities. PDP leader Mladen Ivanic has been banned from USA, Zoran Dzeric has been dismissed by OHR, and current BiH Minister of Transport and Communication Branko Dokic is accused of fraud. One month ago, Banja Luka Prosecution interrogated four PDP officials under suspicion of blackmailing: Perica Gundalo, Rodoljub Trkulja, Zoran Dzeric and Stojko Blagojevic. PDP claims that the accusations against PDP officials are false and initiated by certain political power centres with an aim to discredit the party. Dragomir Babic, Head of NGO “Narodni front” submitted over 20 criminal reports against PDP officials accusing them of fraud. However, none of these reports have been investigated by the Prosecution. Petar Kunic, former PDP official, stated that he had left PDP because Ivanic refused to investigate and sanction crime committed by party members. Economic expert Borislav Bijelic claims that privatisation conducted by PDP officials has been wrong and devastating for the companies. However, situation in PDP seems to change. Several PDP officials are currently being trailed or under investigation, among them also Milica Bisic and Miroslav Marievic. According to Bijelic, recent investigations and trials against PDP officials are result of SDS’s attempt to eliminate PDP before the next elections. Bijelic claims that the judiciary system in RS is controlled by RS President Dragan Covic. The reporter concludes that Ivanic might also be accused of illegal privatisation of “Kristalna banka”.

Illegal import of oil in BiH: Officials may be involved

 

EuroBlic cover pg splash ‘Politicians too are involved in oil smuggling’, RSpg 1 ‘400 thousand tons of oil illegally imported’ by Tijana Veselinovic – The BiH Foreign Trade Chamber holds information that the total of 1.108 million tons of oil derivatives were imported to BiH last year. Bearing in mind power needs in BiH, it is suspected that at least 400 thousand tons of oil at least was illegally imported. Vukasin Vojinovic, President of RS Association of oil distributors, is of the view that officials from authority are involved in illegal imports of derivatives, cigarettes, alcohol and other excise goods.

Three BiH citizens arrested for explosive smuggling

BHT 1 – Three BiH citizens were arrested in France under the suspicion of smuggling explosive devices. According to the representatives of the BiH Foreign Ministry, Nedjad Mirica, French police found 100 kilos of explosive in 200 loafs of bread, carried by the truck with the trailer registered in BiH.

 

War crimes

SCG Army officer claims Mladic was hiding in Topcider last June

 

 

 

 

BHT1, RTRS, FTV, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Criminal Mladic was hiding in Topcider last year’ by Onasa, Oslobodjenje pg 7 inset ‘Mladic was in Topcider’ by Fena, Vecernji List pg 19 ‘Two conscripts killed because they saw Mladic in Topcider’ by zb, H – Non-commissioned officer of the SCG Army, Mirislav D. Petrovic, claims that he had participated in the security of Ratko Mladic and that two members of the guard unit were murdered on October 5 last year because they had seen Mladic at military base “Topcider”, reads the article in the Monday’s edition of newspaper “Danas”. Petrovic states that last year in June at Topcidar a gathering on Mladic’s secure passage to the north of the country or towards Bosnia was held in the presence of a number of RS Army officers.  Petrovic is currently under protection of the United States at a military base in one of the neighbouring countries, writes “Danas”.

SCG officials order investigation into claims

 

EuroBlic pg 11 ‘He could have hardly been at Topcider’ – Prvoslav Davinic, SiCG Defence Minister, stated that this ministry would investigate claims of Miroslav D.Petrovic regarding hiding of Ratko Mladic at Topcider. He said: “The information contains some unbelievable claims and to my knowledge, such an operation is hard to accomplish.”

Oslobodjenje pg 7 inset ‘Army doesn’t protect him’ by Onasa –Davinic repeated that SCG Army doesn’t protect Mladic. 

Hayat – Serbian President, Boris Tadic asked all those in charge in Ministry of Defence and SCG Army Headquarter to investigate these allegations.

 

Sarajevo City Council

BiH Election Commission today to annul elections in Sarajevo

 

 

Hayat, Oslobodjenje cover page ‘BiH Election Commission today to annul elections in Sarajevo’, pgs 4-5 ‘Decision on annulment of elections to be made today’ A. Terzic“The BiH Election Commission will on Tuesday make a decision to annul elections for new Sarajevo City Councils because they were carried out/held in an illegal way,” President of the BiH Election Commission Vehid Sehic told the daily. He added that the move had nothing to do with non-representation/participation of a constituent people (Serbs) in the Council but that it was about irregularities in the process of election of Sarajevo City Councilors. The decision will have immediate effect as a complaint against it can be submitted to the BiH Court ’s Appeal Chamber. 

Sarajevo City Council: BiH Election Commission, media should be blamed for everything

 

Oslobodjenje pgs 4-5 ‘BiH Election Commission, media should be blamed for everything’ A. Terzic – At its session in Sarajevo on Monday, the Sarajevo City Council, at the SDA’s initiative, adopted the Declaration on Democratic Address to the Public expressing its astonishment with the manner in which certain BiH Election Commission’s members and media were ignoring the election will of the Sarajevo citizens. Such the reactions, according to Sarajevo City Council, have no legal grounds. The Councilors believe that the SDP BiH involvement in this campaign against the Sarajevo City Council can easily be recognized.

RHB, Hayat, PINK, FTV – also reported on the session of SCC.